On March 2013, the Libyan poultry industry faced severe outbreaks due to mixed infections of APMV-1 (Newcastle disease) and low pathogenic avian influenza (AI) of the H9N2 subtype which were causing high mortality and great economic losses. APMV-1 and H9N2 were isolated and characterized. Genetic sequencing of the APMV-1/chicken/Libya/13VIR/7225-1/2013 isolate revealed the presence of a velogenic APMV-1 belonging to lineage 5 (GRRRQKR*F Lin.5) or genotype VII in class II, according to the nomenclature in use. Three AI viruses of the H9N2 subtype, namely A/avian/Libya/13VIR7225-2/2013, A/avian/Libya/13VIR7225-3/2013, and A/avian/Libya/13VIR7225-5/2013, were isolated and found to belong to the G1 lineage. Analysis of amino acid sequences showed that the analyzed H9N2 viruses contained the amino acid Leu at position 226 (H3 numbering) at the receptor binding site of the HA, responsible for human virus-like receptor specificity. On March 2014, an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus of the H5N1 subtype was diagnosed in a backyard poultry farm in an eastern region of Libya. The H5N1 isolate (A/chicken/Libya/14VIR2749-16/2014) was detected by real time RT-PCR (rRTPCR). Genetic characterization of the HA gene revealed that the identified subtype was highly pathogenic, belonged to the 2.2.1 lineage, and clustered with recent Egyptian viruses. This study revealed the presence of a velogenic APMV-1 genotype and of two influenza subtypes, namely HPAI H5N1 and H9N2, which are of major interest for public and animal health. Considering these findings, more investigations must be undertaken to establish and implement adequate influenza surveillance programs; this would allow better study of the epidemiology of APMV-1 genotype VII in Libya and evaluation of the current vaccination strategies.
Ibrahim Eldaghayes(5-2015)

This study was conducted to develop a short-term immersion procedure for masculinisation of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) by using 17α-methyltestosterone at 100, 200 or 400 µg l-1 for 3, 6 or 12 h. Fry were immersed two successive times with 3 days interval period. The highest percentage of male Oreochromis niloticus (96±4 %) and the lowest gonado-somatic index of female Oreochromis niloticus (1.89±0.02) were obtained by immersion of fry in 17α-methyltestosterone at the level of 400 µg l -1 for 6 h. However, survival rate of Oreochromis niloticus Fry during hormone treatment period did not differ significantly from survival rate in the control group. Tilapia culture is widespread all over the world. The problem of overpopulation in fish ponds caused by uncontrolled reproduction is a major constraint to the further development of the Tilapia culture industry. This problem could be overcamed by culturing all-male populations of Tilapia. One of the most common techniques for producing all-male populations of Tilapia is androgen-induced-sex-reversal by using androgen-treated feed. However, the immersion of fry is not fully developed for practical usage. Feeding androgen carries some potential disadvantages as in efficiency in masculinisation. Immersion of Tilapia fry in androgen solutions may be an alternative to oral administration of androgen, this technique is well developed in salmonid culture; however it remains largely experimental in Tilapia culture. The objective of this research was to develop short-term immersion procedure for the masculinisation of Nile Tilapia by using 17α-methyltestosterone and evaluating the most proper dose concentration and hormone treatment period.
ABDUSSALAM ABUMHARA(10-2009)

Aims: To determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) in women from Aljalla Maternity and Gynaecology Hospital (AMGH) and to evaluate the association between the infection and potential risk factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at AMGH in Tripoli during the year 2012. Data on potential risk factors were collected by a structured questionnaire and results of the test. The output data of questionnaire were used to assess potential risk factors for positive outcome. All sera (n = 500) was screened against ToxoG, by using the Vidas machine automated enzyme-linked florescent immunoassay. The association between the outcome variables and its potential risk factors were screened in a multivariate analysis. A p-value < 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: The overall seroprevalence was estimated to be 50.8% with 95% confidence interval (CI) (46.42%–55.18%). The results revealed that T. gondii infection is highly prevalent, and eating habits (consuming raw meat and/or raw vegetables or fruits) were highly significant associated in multivariable analysis. Expectedly, a significantly [odds ratio (OR):1.712; p =
Abdusalam Sharef Abdusalam Mahmoud(1-2019)